Since Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 during a campus event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, reactions from colleges have varied, offering both plenty of warning and a glimmer of hope for the future of this nation.
Claira Albright, a graduate of the esteemed Liberty Common High School in Colorado and now a freshman at the University of Austin (UATX), assisted The Federalist by conducting an informal survey among her friends at other universities. The aim was to gather official reactions from these institutions in the wake of Kirk’s assassination.
Out of the 10 schools surveyed, only Jerry Parker, the vice president and dean of students at Drake University, sent an email to students and faculty on Sept. 12. This email did not address Kirk’s assassination; rather, it focused on issues related to bullying on social media. He emphasized that for Drake to be a place for the free exchange of ideas, individuals must approach their conversations with consideration for their impact on others.
The remaining nine schools did not send out any communication to their students and faculty opposing political violence after Kirk’s murder or reaffirming their commitment to free speech. The nine schools were: Arizona State, Butler University, Brigham Young, Colorado State, Front Range Community College, University of Idaho, Montana State, Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Virginia, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
This collective silence may be attributed to two possible reasons: either indifference, given that Kirk was a conservative activist and many colleges often only pay lip service to free speech, or cowardice in avoiding potential offense to their predominantly left-leaning students and faculty.
Regardless of the underlying motives, the inaction and silence of these colleges following Kirk’s murder is utterly disgraceful. This response directly contradicts the principles these institutions profess to uphold, particularly their dedication to fostering genuine open dialogue. Their failure to act confirms a troubling reality: many college campuses are among the most intolerant environments in the country, not only suppressing diverse viewpoints but also, alarmingly, glorifying violence.
Speech isn’t Violence
Charlie Kirk dedicated his life to challenging this very issue by advocating for free speech and civil engagement on college campuses. Regrettably, the institutions he visited did not support his mission during his lifetime. Instead, leftist professors and their radicalized students branded Kirk a “hater,” launching relentless efforts to silence him and obstruct his attempts to engage with fellow students. When all else failed, they silenced Kirk with a bullet.
Heather Mac Donald was spot on when she wrote, “It was grimly fitting that Kirk was murdered on a college campus, the source of the ‘hate speech equals violence’ ethic that demonizes philosophical opponents and creates a presumption that those opponents must be silenced for the good of America’s endemic victims.”
Kirk’s murder and the silence of many colleges serve as a stark warning: if we do not reform our colleges and universities, they will continue to be breeding grounds for illiberal ideas that radicalize future generations.
One Good Example
On a more hopeful note, one university stands out for doing the right thing in the aftermath of Kirk’s murder: the University of Austin (UATX), a private liberal arts college in Austin, Texas, where Claira Albright is a student.
The day after Kirk’s murder, Albright received an email from Ben Crocker, Dean of UATX, which was sent to all students and faculty of UATX and it began as the following:
“Dear UATX Community,
I’m writing to you in light of yesterday’s atrocity at Utah Valley University, where Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a campus event. Charlie’s devotion to free speech and open discourse, particularly on college campuses and more broadly with America’s youth, was highly pertinent to our project here at UATX. I know his senseless murder may raise concerns about safety on campus.”
Crocker went on to describe the security measures UATX has in place, and he ended his email by reaffirming the university’s commitment to free speech:
“UATX is committed to free and open exchange of ideas — even when those ideas or speakers are controversial. This will not change, and Charlie’s tragic death underscores for us how vital our project is at this juncture in American history. Our safety policies are designed to make sure our students’ education can take place safely.”
Albright found the email to be both timely and appropriate. The university’s strong commitment to safety measures and unwavering dedication to free speech reassured her greatly.
Additionally, Albright appreciates that UATX offers a solid mental health support system. There is a clinic located about a mile from the campus, and students can access a mental health app for help 24/7. Last week, Albright experienced a family emergency, and everyone at the school, from faculty to student leaders, was kind and supportive.
Positive Developments
Albright remains hopeful about her future and is passionately committed to transforming the American education system through effective policies. However, in the wake of Kirk’s assassination, she is alarmed by the surge in political violence and the troubling trend of individuals who condone and celebrate it. Albright fears that this act of violence may incite more unrest, making our country less safe and increasingly divided. This sentiment is echoed among her peers; of the ten college students she surveyed, only one holds an optimistic view of the nation’s future, while seven express deep pessimism, and two share mixed feelings.
In a positive development, some students are taking action to oppose political violence and change the harmful culture of intolerance on college campuses. For instance, both the Young Democrats of Connecticut and the Young Republicans of Connecticut came together to issue a joint statement denouncing political violence and extending prayers for Kirk and his family.
The UW-Madison College Democrats issued a statement on Instagram, stating “We are disgusted to hear about the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Political violence has no role in democracy, and it must be denounced in the strongest terms possible.”
At Duke University’s vigil, sophomore Trevor Darr emphasized the importance of treating individuals with differing opinions with respect and humanity, stating: “If we are going to take this moment in history and do something about it, it starts with us as people before it starts with us for the identities that we create for ourselves.” This perspective aligns with how Kirk approached debates; he challenged differing viewpoints without resorting to personal insults.
In the wake of Kirk’s tragic murder, the reactions from colleges reveal both warning signs and a glimmer of hope. Much work lies ahead to transform the illiberal culture pervasive on many campuses. Nevertheless, the seeds Kirk planted will continue to flourish. The movement for civil debate he championed will persist as more individuals, inspired by his legacy, take up his blood-stained baton and advance the cause he believed in so deeply.
